The Case for an October Escape to the Maldives
MALDIVES · KANDIMA · OKTOBER ADVENTURES
From athlete residencies and island adventures to spooky-season surprises, Kandima is giving guests plenty of reasons to escape the ordinary with a jam-packed Oktober Adventures programme
Dubai, 7 September 2026: As autumn settles in, travel’s mood shifts from where to why. Kandima’s Oktober Adventures turns the shoulder season into its most eventful yet, answering the call for ‘whycation’ holidays that are chosen for purpose, rather than coordinates on the map.
This month-long programme will bring together an inspiring line-up of sport talent residencies, live music, family-first entertainment and island celebration, starting with a lively beachfront Oktoberfest, and building towards a spook-tacular Halloween finale.
Beats, Brushstrokes and Beachside Nights
The social calendar kicks off with Oktoberfest, where Breeze Beach will be infused with Erdinger’s Bavarian spirit. Travellers can mix and mingle over chilled German beers, snacks, live acoustic sets into the night. Later in the month, evenings shift into a run of signature theme nights, from the all-white glow of the White Party to the rhythm-fuelled Latin Night, with captivating fire show performances that dazzle.
Creative souls can also find their own quiet corner with an afternoon at KULA Art Studio, settling into a sit-down painting session with resident artist Zima to experiment with colours, shapes and forms in an unhurried setting, all against Aroma’s lakeside views.
Sport Programme Highlights: Meet the International MVPs Heading to Kandima This Autumn
Active families are well catered for throughout the month, with coaching sessions and games guided by the resort’s fitness team throughout Family Football Week (20–27 October).
Some of the month’s biggest moments come courtesy of an exciting roster of gamechangers, each bringing their own passion, expertise and energy to the island.
11–31 October
BM Tennis Lifestyle
Tennis Residency
A month of tennis with BM Tennis Lifestyle’s professional coaches in residency. Guests can join one-to-one coaching, family sessions, tournaments and social rallies on and off the court.
19–26 October
Sebastian Melrose
Racing Driver
The Scottish-Salvadoran racing driver and reality TV personality, who began racing at 16 with the Scottish Formula Ford Championship, is bringing motorsport workshops and open laps with guests to Fast Track, the resort’s iconic oceanfront e-go-kart circuit.
22–29 October
Hadiya Hakeem
Professional Football Freestyler
A viral freestyle footballer who performed at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Hadiya will host live performances and skills workshops for football fans who love the sport’s more expressive side.
6–15 November
Ashley Neaves
The Tennis Mentor
Beyond October, Kandima’s guests can join one of multiple training and skills sessions led by professional tennis coach Ashley Neaves, for ten days in November. Ashley will be running classes for beginners and experienced players, catering to children and adults alike.
Beyond the sports fields, a wider wellness and fitness programme promises days with fun contrasts. From slow mornings with sunrise yoga on the beach, opening into high-energy group fitness challenges, before the ocean takes over. Guests can venture out onto open water for jet skiing, windsurfing, flyboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and parasailing, or slip beneath the surface for guided dives and snorkels with the Aquaholics team, throughout the week.
A Spook-tacular Finale
To close out the month, guests can look forward to Halloween Haunted Adventures (30–31 October), where the island gives itself over to a curated, haunted carnival playground. Children can lose themselves in Little Monsters Halloween crafts and costume-making workshops, while the whole family joins in for relay races and contests, before setting off on a trick-or-treat treasure hunt for Sweet Surprises Await.
As the sun sets, the resort opens its doors to the Halloween Party. Adventurous guests can sample eerie cocktails and snacks while brushing shoulders with roaming performers in full costume, as the night stretches on with music, mischief and mystery.
Stay
Rates in October start from £238 per night for Studios and £325 per night for Villas on Full Board when booking directly. Full programme details are available in the Oktober Adventures brochure.
For media enquiries, please contact kandima@prm-global.com
Notes to Editors
Source: Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, “The Whycation: Travel’s New Starting Point”
Discover more stories
Browse the full library of Talk in Arabia articles, guides and videos.